JP5942396B2 - Image forming apparatus and method for starting image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming apparatus activation method, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus capable of shortening an activation time and an image forming apparatus activation method.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, there has been known an image forming apparatus having a composite function called MFP (Multi Functional Peripheral) in which functions of respective apparatuses such as a printer, a copier, a facsimile machine, and a scanner are housed in one apparatus.

  In such an image forming apparatus, not only a reduction in power consumption during an image forming operation but also a reduction in power consumption in a standby state in which the image forming operation is not performed are strongly demanded. Power consumption is reduced by providing an "energy saving mode" that stops power supply to other than the functional blocks.

  There is also a strong demand to reduce the waiting time of the user by shortening the processing time when returning from the energy saving mode to the normal operation mode and when starting the normal operation mode when the main power is turned on. .

  An image forming apparatus such as an MFP includes an engine unit that performs mechanical operations related to image processing such as reading of a document image and image formation on a recording sheet, an engine control unit that controls the operation of the engine unit, and the entire image forming apparatus It has a controller to control.

  The controller generates various control signals and transmits them to the engine control unit by communication means via a general-purpose bus or the like that needs to establish a communication connection. In addition, when the main power is turned on and when the controller returns from the energy saving mode to the normal operation mode, the controller controls the engine control unit from the controller using the communication means to control information required for the engine control unit startup process (hereinafter referred to as startup information). The engine control unit acquires the activation information, and then activates the engine unit.

  Here, when the main power is turned on and when the energy saving mode is returned to the normal operation mode, the operations of the controller and the engine control unit differ depending on whether or not the controller itself has been activated.

  That is, since the controller is not activated when the main power is turned on, the controller first starts its own startup process including the initialization process of the CPU and the like, and after the startup process ends, between the controller and the engine control unit. Establish communication connection of communication means. When establishment of the communication connection is completed, the engine control unit obtains activation information from the controller by the communication means and executes activation processing. That is, the engine control unit starts the activation process after the controller is activated and the communication connection between the controller and the engine control unit is established.

  On the other hand, when returning from the energy saving mode to the normal mode, since the controller is already activated, the communication connection of the communication means between the controller and the engine control unit is immediately established, and the engine control unit receives the activation information from the controller. Obtain and start the startup process.

  Therefore, there is a problem that the waiting time until the start-up process of the engine unit ends is longer when the main power is turned on than when returning from the energy saving mode to the normal operation mode.

  As an image forming apparatus that copes with this problem, there is an image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1. In this image forming apparatus, an information transmission means such as a DC level transmission means that does not require establishment of a communication connection is provided exclusively for start-up information separately from the communication means between the controller and the engine control unit. Information indicating that the power is turned on or returning from the energy saving mode to the normal operation mode), information indicating whether or not to start the image forming unit in the engine unit, and information indicating whether or not the image forming unit needs to be adjusted ( Here, information indicating whether or not the elapsed time without the image forming operation and image adjusting operation of the engine unit has exceeded a threshold value is transmitted from the controller to the engine control unit. Based on the startup information received by the dedicated information transmission unit, the engine control unit is one of the startup processes without waiting for establishment of the communication connection of the communication unit between the controller and the engine control unit when the main power is turned on. When starting temperature rise control of a certain fixing device and returning from the energy saving mode to the normal operation mode, information indicating whether or not to start the image forming unit in the engine unit, and whether or not the image forming unit needs to be adjusted The activation processing is performed based on the information corresponding to.

  In other words, by executing a part of the startup process of the engine control unit in parallel with the establishment of the communication connection of the communication means between the controller and the engine control unit, the main power is turned on and the energy saving mode is returned to the normal operation mode. The startup time of the entire image forming apparatus at the time is shortened.

  The image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is a main power source in an image forming apparatus using a fixing method that requires a long time to raise the temperature of the fixing device, such as a halogen fixing method using a halogen lamp to heat the fixing device. It is possible to effectively shorten the time from turning on to completing the startup process of the engine control unit.

  However, in an image forming apparatus using a system that can finish the temperature rise of the fixing device in a short time, such as an IH (Induction Heating) fixing method, the startup processing time in the engine control unit is The time required for adjusting the image forming unit including an optical system for writing an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum is more dominant than the temperature raising control time.

  When the main power is turned on when the controller is not activated than when returning to the normal operation mode from the energy saving mode where the controller is activated because the controller creates information indicating whether adjustment of the image forming unit is necessary. In this case, the time until the content of information is determined becomes longer.

  Therefore, in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the engine control unit indicates whether or not the image forming unit needs to be adjusted by the dedicated information transmission unit only when returning from the energy saving mode to the normal operation mode. The information is acquired, and when the main power is turned on when the controller is not activated, the information is acquired by the communication unit after the communication connection of the communication unit is established. Therefore, in an image forming apparatus in which the time required for adjusting the image forming unit dominates the starting time of the entire image forming apparatus, the starting time when the main power is turned on cannot be shortened effectively.

  That is, although it is required to obtain the startup information related to the startup process that is dominant with respect to the startup process time of the entire image forming apparatus as soon as possible to reduce the startup process time of the entire image forming apparatus. However, it has not been realized for activation information whose time until the content is determined depends on the activation factor.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and an object thereof is an engine unit that performs a mechanical operation related to image processing, an engine control unit that controls the operation of the engine unit, and the engine control unit. And a controller that generates a plurality of pieces of start information necessary for the start processing and transmits the information to the engine control unit by a plurality of information transmission means dedicated to each start information that does not require establishment of a communication connection. This is to enable the engine control unit to acquire the activation information from the controller as soon as possible regardless of the activation factor regardless of the activation factor.

  An image forming apparatus of the present invention generates an engine unit that performs a mechanical operation related to image processing, an engine control unit that controls the operation of the engine unit, and a plurality of startup information necessary for startup processing of the engine control unit. A controller that transmits to the engine control unit using a plurality of information transmission means dedicated to each activation information that does not require establishment of a communication connection, and the controller indicates a activation factor in the activation information. 1 activation information is transmitted by the first information transmission means, and when the content of the activation information is confirmed, second activation information is transmitted by the second information transmission means when the time until the confirmation of the contents differs depending on the activation factor. The engine control unit indicates the timing at which the first activation information acquired from the first information transmission unit and the second activation information acquired in advance are expected to be confirmed. Based on the information, an image forming device for obtaining the second boot information from the second signaling means.

  According to the present invention, an engine unit that performs a mechanical operation related to image processing, an engine control unit that controls the operation of the engine unit, and a plurality of startup information necessary for startup processing of the engine control unit are generated and communicated. In an image forming apparatus having a controller that transmits to the engine control unit by a plurality of information transmission means dedicated to each activation information that does not require connection establishment, activation information that has a different time to determination depending on the activation factor regardless of the activation factor The engine controller can obtain from the controller as soon as possible.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of an on-time startup process performed by a controller in the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a start process when returning from an energy saving mode to a normal operation mode performed by a controller in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the starting process which an engine control part performs in the image forming apparatus of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure when the activation process shown in FIG. 4 is not activated by turning on the main power. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure when the fixing advance start-up mode is not set in the starting process shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a writing processing unit, an image forming unit, and a fixing device in the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the image formation adjustment pattern formed on the transfer belt in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image forming apparatus of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the starting process which an engine control part performs in the image forming apparatus of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image forming apparatus of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the starting process which an engine control part performs in the image forming apparatus of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[First Embodiment]
<Configuration of image forming apparatus>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus 10 includes an engine 20 that performs a mechanical operation related to image processing, an engine control unit 30 that controls the operation of the engine 20, and a controller 40 that controls the entire image forming apparatus 10.

  The engine control unit 30 and the controller 40 are connected to each other via a communication bus (hereinafter referred to as a PCIe communication bus) 70 compliant with a communication standard called PCI Express (registered trademark), and communicate with each other via the PCIe communication bus 70. Do.

  The controller 40 includes an operation unit 52 for a user to input instructions and the like to the controller 40, an NCU (Network Control Unit) 54 for performing communication processing with an external device via a public communication network, and a public line. An FCU (Facsimile Control Unit) 56 is connected to perform facsimile transmission / reception processing.

  The engine 20 includes a reading processing unit 201, a writing processing unit 202, a sensor 203, a load 204, an image forming unit 205, and a fixing device 206. The reading processing unit 201 reads a document image by operating a scanner (not shown). The writing processing unit 202 writes an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive drum (not shown) of the image forming unit 205. The sensor 203 is a conveyance path sensor that detects the presence or absence of a recording sheet on the sheet conveyance path, a door sensor that detects opening and closing of an access door provided in the image forming apparatus 10, and the like. The load 204 is a motor, solenoid, clutch, or the like that is controlled according to the output of the sensor 203. The image forming unit 205 develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum, transfers the image to a recording sheet, and forms an image on the recording sheet. The fixing device 206 heats and fixes the image transferred to the recording paper.

  In addition to the photosensitive drum, the image forming unit 205 includes a charging unit that charges the photosensitive drum, a developing unit that absorbs and develops an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum, and a toner on the photosensitive drum. Is constituted by a transfer portion or the like for transferring the image onto the recording paper. The fixing device 206 includes a fixing roller that heats and fixes the toner transferred onto the recording paper, and a pressure roller that presses the recording paper against the fixing roller.

  The engine control unit 30 is a computer that controls the engine 20, and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 302, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 304 in which a program is written, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) for temporary storage of data. 306, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM) 308 that stores adjustment values used for controlling the engine 20, and an IO (Input / Output) control unit 310 that controls the load 204 while referring to the output of the sensor 203 And an image processing unit 312 that performs MTF (Modulation Transfer Function: spatial frequency) correction, image quality correction, and the like of the image data read by the reading processing unit 201.

  The controller 40 is a computer that controls the entire image forming apparatus 10. The controller 40 includes a CPU 402, a ROM 404 that stores a control program, a RAM 406 that is a working memory used by the CPU 402, and a lithium battery and a clock, for example. And an NV-RAM (Non Volatile RAM) 408 for storing the stored contents of the RAM 406 at times.

  The controller 40 also includes a frame memory 410 used for temporarily storing image data, a work memory 412 for downloading the program from the ROM 404 for execution of a program by the CPU 402, and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) for storing image data and the like. A fixed disk device) 414, a system bus for connecting the above-described units, and an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 416 for performing communication control of the system bus, operation control of the frame memory 410, and the like. doing.

  Further, the controller 40 has a return signal control unit 418 that outputs activation information, which is information necessary for the activation process in the engine control unit 30, to the CPU 302 of the engine control unit 30 to the engine control unit 30. .

  Information output from the return signal control unit 418 is transmitted to the CPU 302 of the engine control unit 30 via the dedicated signal lines 82, 84, 86. These dedicated signal lines 82, 84, and 86 indicate specific activation information necessary for the activation process in the engine control unit 30 by outputting a low-level or high-level voltage signal from the return signal control unit 418, respectively. .

  The contents of the activation information indicated by the output signals of the dedicated signal lines 82, 84, 86 can be determined in advance. That is, for example, whether or not the dedicated signal line 82 is a start-up process by turning on the main power supply, and the dedicated signal line 84 has an elapsed time from the end of the previous image forming operation (hereinafter referred to as image forming stop time) at a predetermined time. The dedicated signal line 86 can indicate whether or not the cause of the return from the energy saving mode to the normal operation mode (hereinafter referred to as energy saving return) is a request from the NCU 54.

  The return signal control unit 418 generates activation information based on the input contents of the operation unit 52 and information such as a print request received by the NCU 54 or the FCU 56, and activates each activation signal via each dedicated signal line 82, 84, 86. Information is transmitted to the CPU 302 of the engine control unit 30.

<Image forming device startup processing>
Next, the operation procedure of the activation process of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described in order, divided into the activation process in the controller 40 and the activation process in the engine control unit 30.

(1) Start-up process in the controller 40 The start-up process in the controller 40 includes a start-up process when the main power is turned on (start-up process when turned on) and a start-up process when returning from energy saving (start-up process when returning).

  First, the procedure of on-time startup processing will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The flow in this figure is started when the user turns on the main power supply of the image forming apparatus 10.

  First, according to the program stored in the ROM 404, the CPU 402 of the controller 40 downloads, for example, a boot process program stored in the HDD 414 to the work memory 412, and performs its own boot process such as initial setting of the CPU 402 (S101).

  Next, the controller 40 transmits, from the return signal control unit 418, a signal indicating that the activation process is performed when the main power is on to the CPU 302 of the engine control unit 30 through the dedicated signal line 82 (S102).

  Next, from the time information when the previous image forming operation stored in the NV-RAM 408 is completed, the current time information generated by a clock (not shown), and the predetermined time information stored in the NV-RAM 408, image forming is performed. Information indicating whether or not the stop time has reached a predetermined time (hereinafter referred to as stop time information) is generated and transmitted to the CPU 302 of the engine control unit 30 through the dedicated signal line 84 (S103).

  Further, the controller 40 establishes communication connection with the engine control unit 30 through the PCIe communication bus 70 (S104), and then transmits an activation request command for instructing the engine control unit 30 to execute activation processing (S105). . Further, other processes necessary for the startup process of the engine control unit 30 such as a response to the startup information inquiry from the engine control unit 30 (query of startup information other than the startup information given by the dedicated signal lines 82, 84, 86) are performed. This is executed (S106), and the on-time startup process is terminated. Note that the start of S104 may be performed in parallel with S102 and S103.

  Next, the procedure of the return start processing will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The image forming apparatus 10 receives a predetermined time when no operation is performed on the operation unit 52 or when a predetermined time elapses without receiving an operation request (for example, a print request) from the network via the NCU 54. , Shift to energy saving mode. After the transition to the energy saving mode, when the NCU 54 receives an operation request from the network, or when the user operates the operation unit 52, the normal operation mode is restored.

  When the process is started, the controller 40 causes the return signal control unit 418 to transmit information indicating that it is a startup process at the time of energy saving return to the CPU 302 of the engine control unit 30 through the dedicated signal line 82 (S201). Next, information indicating whether or not the factor at the time of energy saving return is due to reception of an operation request from the network is transmitted to the CPU 302 of the engine control unit 30 through the dedicated signal line 86 (S202).

  Further, the controller 40 generates image formation stop time information, that is, information indicating whether or not the image formation stop time has reached a predetermined time, and transmits the information to the CPU 302 of the engine control unit 30 through the dedicated signal line 84 (S203). .

  Subsequently, a communication connection with the engine control unit 30 via the PCIe communication bus 70 is established (S204), and an activation request command for instructing start of the activation process is transmitted to the engine control unit 30 (S205). Other processing required for startup, such as a response to the startup information query from the server, is executed (S206), and the startup processing at return ends.

(2) Start-up Process in Engine Control Unit 30 Next, the start-up process in the engine control unit 30 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. Here, FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the startup process performed by the engine control unit 30 in the image forming apparatus 10, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure when the startup process shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure when the fixing advance start-up mode is not set in the starting process shown in FIG.

  The engine control unit 30 starts the activation process, for example, when energization of the engine control unit 30 is started. Further, the energization of the engine control unit 30 is started when the user turns on the main power supply of the image forming apparatus 10, or when returning to the normal operation mode after being cut off when shifting to the energy saving mode. The process is started by a power supply unit (not shown) that has received an instruction from the controller 40.

  When the engine control unit 30 starts the activation process, the CPU 302 acquires information indicating whether the activation process is performed when the main power is turned on from the dedicated signal line 82, and whether the activation process is performed when the main power is turned on. It is determined whether or not (S301).

  Here, the above-mentioned “signal indicating whether or not the activation process is performed when the main power is turned on” is the same as the step S102 in FIG. 2 (in the case of the activation process when the main power is turned on) or the step S201 in FIG. In the case of processing).

  When it is determined that the activation process at the time of energy saving return (S301: NO), the process proceeds to “A”. The procedure after shifting to “A” will be described later with reference to FIG. On the other hand, if it is determined that the main power is turned on (S301: YES), the temperature rise control of the fixing device 206 is started (S302), and the fixing device 206 reaches a predetermined temperature (a predetermined constant temperature). (S303: YES), the temperature increase control is stopped, and the temperature increase control (startup control) of the fixing device 206 is ended (S304).

  In parallel with the temperature increase control (S302, S303) of the fixing device 206, an adjustment operation of the image forming unit 205 (hereinafter referred to as an image formation adjustment operation) is executed as necessary. Details of this image forming adjustment operation will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  The CPU 302 acquires stop time information from the dedicated signal line 84 in order to determine whether it is necessary to perform an image formation adjustment operation. As described above with reference to FIG. 2, the stop time information is calculated based on the time information by the clock function installed in the controller 40, and the controller 40 calculates the stop time and determines whether or not the predetermined time has been reached. Since it is determined by the determination, a certain amount of time is required until the content of the information is determined. Therefore, the engine control unit 30 waits for a predetermined time (a time during which the information content is expected to be determined) (S305), reads the information from the dedicated signal line 84 after a predetermined time, and obtains the stop time information. Obtain (S306).

  After acquiring the stop time information from the dedicated signal line 84, the engine control unit 30 acquires temperature information and humidity information, which are other image adjustment operation execution conditions (S307). Then, based on the stop time information, the temperature information, and the humidity information, it is determined whether or not an image forming adjustment operation is necessary (S308).

  As a result of the determination, if an image forming adjustment operation is not required (S308: NO), the start-up process of the engine control unit 30 ends after waiting for the temperature rise control end of the fixing device 206 (S304). On the other hand, if an image formation adjustment operation is necessary (S308: YES), the image formation adjustment operation is executed (S309), the adjustment operation is completed (S310: YES), and the temperature increase control of the fixing device 206 is completed (S304). Then, the startup process of the engine control unit 30 ends.

Next, the case where it is determined that the activation process at the time of energy saving return (S301: NO) will be described with reference to FIG.
First, the CPU 302 determines whether or not it is a return request from the network based on information from the dedicated signal line 86 of the return signal control unit 418 (S311).

  If the result of the determination is that the request is not a return from the network (S311: NO), the process of determining whether or not the fixing advance start-up mode (details will be described later) is set (S312) is not performed. The process proceeds to the temperature increase control start process (S313) of the fixing device 206 and the stop time information acquisition process (S316) from the dedicated signal line 84.

  If it is determined that the request is a return request from the network (S311: YES), a determination process is performed as to whether or not the fixing advance start-up mode that can be selected according to the user's request is set (S312). .

  Here, the fixing advance start-up mode starts the temperature rise control of the fixing device 206 at the time of a return request from the network regardless of the return factor (whether it is a print request or a scanner request), and a print request This is a mode for shortening the print end time. However, even when only a scanner request is made, power is supplied to the fixing device 206 and wasteful power is consumed, so that the mode can be selected according to the user's request.

  When the fixing advance start-up mode is not set (S312: NO), the process proceeds to “B”. The procedure after shifting to “B” will be described later with reference to FIG. When the fixing advance start-up mode is set (S312: YES), the temperature increase control start process (S313) of the fixing device 206 and the stop time information acquisition process (S316) from the dedicated signal line 84 are performed. Transition.

  The temperature rise control of the fixing device 206 is started (S313). When the temperature reaches a predetermined temperature (S314: YES), the temperature rise control is stopped and the start-up control of the fixing device 206 is completed (S315). S313 to S315 are the same as S302 to S304 in FIG.

  In parallel with the temperature increase control (S313, S314) of the fixing device 206, an image forming adjustment operation is executed as necessary. In the start-up process flow when the main power is turned on as described in FIG. 4, after waiting for a certain time (S305), the dedicated signal line 84 is read to obtain stop time information (S306). Reference numeral 40 denotes an operating state, and since the output signal of the dedicated signal line 84 is controlled in real time, the engine control unit 30 can acquire stop time information without waiting time.

  After acquiring the stop time information from the dedicated signal line 84, the engine control unit 30 acquires temperature information and humidity information that are other image adjustment operation execution conditions (S317). Then, based on the stop time information, the temperature information, and the humidity information, it is determined whether an image forming adjustment operation is necessary (S318).

  As a result of the determination, if the adjustment operation is not required (S318: NO), the start-up process of the engine control unit 30 ends after waiting for the temperature rise control end of the fixing device 206 (S315). On the other hand, if an image formation adjustment operation is necessary (S318: YES), the image formation adjustment operation is executed (S319), the image formation adjustment operation is completed (S320: YES), and the temperature rise control of the fixing device is completed (S315). ), The startup process of the engine control unit 30 ends. S316 to S320 are the same as S306 to S310 in FIG.

Next, the case where the fixing advance start-up mode is not set (S312: NO) will be described with reference to FIG.
The CPU 302 waits for the establishment of communication between the controller and the engine control unit (S321), receives an activation request command from the controller 40 (S322), and then determines whether or not it is an activation request with an image forming operation based on the command. That is, it is determined whether or not the operation of the image forming unit 25 is necessary (S325).

  In parallel with S321 and S322 described above, stop time information is acquired from the dedicated signal line 84 of the return signal control unit 418 (S323), and temperature information and humidity information as other image forming adjustment operation execution conditions are acquired. (S324).

  As a result of the determination in S325, if an image forming operation is necessary (S325: YES), the process proceeds to a temperature increase start process (S326) of the fixing device 206. When the fixing device 206 reaches a predetermined temperature (S327: YES), the temperature raising control of the fixing device 206 is stopped, and the start-up control of the fixing device 206 is completed (S328). S326 to S328 are the same as S302 to S304 in FIG.

  Further, in parallel with the temperature increase control (S326 to S328) of the fixing device 206, an image forming adjustment operation is executed as necessary. As a result of the determination in S329, if it is determined that the image forming adjustment operation is unnecessary (S329: NO), the start-up process of the engine control unit 30 ends after waiting for the temperature rise control end of the fixing device 206 (S328). On the other hand, when it is determined that the image forming adjustment operation is necessary (S329: YES), the image forming adjustment operation is executed (S330), the image forming adjustment operation is completed (S331: YES), and the temperature rise control of the fixing device 206 is performed. Waiting for the end (S328), the startup process of the engine control unit 30 ends.

<Image adjustment operation>
Next, the image forming adjustment operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the writing processing unit 202, the image forming unit 205, and the fixing device 206 in the engine 20 in FIG. 1, and FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the image formed on the transfer belt in FIG. It is a figure which shows the pattern for image adjustment.

  Image formation adjustment includes image density adjustment and image position adjustment, both of which are performed based on a toner image formed on a transfer belt as an image carrier. That is, when image density adjustment and image position adjustment are performed, a toner image 141 (FIG. 8) is formed on the transfer belt 108 (FIGS. 7 and 8) at a predetermined timing separately from the normal image forming operation.

  Image density adjustment (first adjustment step) is performed as follows. First, a toner image (a plurality of patch patterns) is formed on the photosensitive drum 101. Here, the toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 101 by a charging process by the charging unit 102, an exposure process by the writing processing unit 202, and a developing process by the developing unit 104.

  Next, the toner image 141 formed on the photosensitive drum 101 is transferred onto the transfer belt 108. Here, the toner images 141 as a plurality of patch patterns are ends of the transfer belt 108 in the width direction (a direction orthogonal to the arrow direction in FIG. 8) and can be detected by the optical sensor 120. It is formed at the position. Further, these toner images 141 are formed by changing the developing bias so that the image density varies stepwise.

  The toner images 141 formed so as to have different image densities sequentially pass through the position of the optical sensor 120 as the transfer belt 108 travels in the arrow direction. Then, the image density of each toner image 141 is detected by the optical sensor 120.

  Here, the optical sensor 120 includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and detects the image density based on the amount of reflected light from the detection target (in this case, the toner image 141).

  Thereafter, the detection result by the optical sensor 120 is transmitted to the engine control unit 30 (FIG. 1). The engine control unit 30 obtains the relationship between the image density and the image forming conditions related thereto based on the transmitted detection result. Specifically, a regression line indicating a change in image density when the developing bias is changed is obtained. Based on the obtained result, finally, an image forming condition for obtaining an optimum image density (target image density) is determined. Finally, at least one of the developing bias, the charging potential, and the latent image potential is adjusted based on the determined image forming conditions.

  The image position adjustment (second adjustment step) is performed as follows. First, similarly to the image density adjustment (first adjustment step), a plurality of toner images are formed on the photosensitive drum 101. Here, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 101 is formed with a fixed developing bias, unlike the image at the time of image density adjustment.

  Note that, unlike the present embodiment, the toner image formed by image position adjustment has a finer pitch than that at the time of image density adjustment, and a parallelogram pattern can be used in addition to a rectangular pattern. Further, toner images can be formed on both ends of the transfer belt 108 in the width direction, and these toner images can be detected by two optical sensors 120 provided on both ends, respectively. In that case, the adjustment amount of the skew adjustment motor can be determined based on those results.

  Next, the toner image 141 formed on the photosensitive drum 101 is transferred onto the transfer belt 108. The plurality of toner images 141 formed at equal intervals sequentially pass through the position of the optical sensor 120 as the transfer belt 108 travels in the arrow direction.

  Then, the position of each toner image 141 is detected by the optical sensor 120. Specifically, the pitch between adjacent toner images, the inclination of the toner image, and the like are detected.

  Thereafter, the detection result by the optical sensor 120 is transmitted to the engine control unit 30. The engine control unit 30 obtains the image position deviation of the toner image on the transfer belt 108 based on the transmitted detection result. Then, based on the obtained result, an image forming position for obtaining an optimal image without image position deviation is finally determined. Finally, at least one of the latent image writing timing and the running timing of the transfer belt 108 is adjusted based on the determined image forming position.

  Here, when both the image density adjustment (first adjustment step) and the image position adjustment (second adjustment step) described above are performed, the image position adjustment is performed first. Furthermore, during the period from image position adjustment to image density adjustment, the developing unit 104 is driven without stopping. This is for detecting the position of the toner image 141 formed by the image position adjustment, and the adjustment control is performed even when the image density fluctuates due to the developer in the developing unit 104 being unstable. By not affecting.

  On the other hand, the toner image 141 formed by the image density adjustment determines the image forming condition based on the image density. Therefore, the adjustment control is performed after the developer in the developing unit 104 is sufficiently stabilized. Need to do.

  In this embodiment, since the developing unit 104 is operating during the image position adjustment performed in advance, the toner charge amount and the toner density are sufficiently stable when the image density adjustment is started. . As a result, a plurality of adjustment controls are efficiently performed with high accuracy.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the engine control unit 30 displays the stop time information whose time until determination is different according to the activation factor of the apparatus regardless of the activation factor of the apparatus. Obtained from the dedicated signal line 84 before the connection of the communication bus 70 is established, and if necessary, the image adjustment operation which is the dominant factor of the startup processing time of the entire apparatus is performed in parallel with the establishment of the connection of the PCIe communication bus 70. Therefore, regardless of the activation factor of the apparatus, it is possible to shorten the activation time of the entire apparatus and reduce the waiting time of the user.

  In addition, when a return request from the network is made, a fixing advance start-up mode for starting the temperature rise control of the fixing device 206 is performed regardless of whether the image forming unit 205 is used (print request or scanner request). Since it is provided, it is possible to shorten the print end time when a print request is made.

  Furthermore, since the fixing advance start-up mode can be set according to the user's needs, waste due to supplying power to the fixing device 206 even when the image forming unit 205 is not used as in the case of only a scanner request. Power consumption can be eliminated.

[Second Embodiment]
<Configuration of image forming apparatus>
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 are attached to the same parts as those in FIG. 1 (first embodiment).

  The image forming apparatus 12 of the present embodiment has the same configuration as the image forming apparatus 10 of the first embodiment, but is different from the first embodiment in place of the engine control unit 30 in the first embodiment. The difference is that the engine control unit 32 includes a ROM 314 that stores a startup program. Therefore, the description regarding another structure is abbreviate | omitted.

<Image forming device startup processing>
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the startup process executed by the engine control unit 32 in the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The activation process of the controller 40 is the same as that in the first embodiment (FIGS. 2 and 3).

  In this figure, S401 to S404 are the same as S301 to S304 in FIG. 4 (first embodiment). S405 to S408 are the same as S305 to S308 in FIG. Further, S409 and S410 following S408: YES are the same as S309 and S310 following S308: YES in FIG. Note that the destination of S401: NO is omitted because it is the same as that in the first embodiment (FIG. 5). The difference from FIG. 4 is S411 to S413 following S408: NO.

  That is, in the first embodiment (FIG. 4), when it is determined that the image forming adjustment operation is unnecessary (S308: NO), the engine control unit 30 is started after waiting for the temperature rise control end of the fixing device 206 (S304). In contrast to the end of the processing, in the present embodiment, when it is determined that the image forming adjustment operation is unnecessary (S408: NO), S411 to S413 are executed.

  That is, after waiting for establishment of the communication connection between the controller and the engine control unit (S411), the stop time information is acquired from the received command (S412), and the execution determination of the image forming adjustment operation is performed again based on the result (S412). S413). As a result of the re-determination, when an image forming adjustment operation is necessary (S413: YES), the image forming adjustment operation is executed (S409), the image forming adjustment operation is completed (S410: YES), and the fixing device 206 is heated. Waiting for the end of control (S404), the startup process of the engine control unit 30 is completed. If the image forming adjustment operation is not necessary even after re-determination (S413: NO), the start-up process of the engine control unit 30 ends after waiting for the completion of the temperature increase control of the fixing device 206 (S404).

  In other words, only when it is determined that the image adjustment operation is unnecessary based on the stop time information, the temperature information, and the humidity information from the dedicated signal line 84 (S408: NO), it is received after establishing the communication connection between the controller and the engine control unit. Re-determination by command is executed. By adding this control flow, it is possible to prevent a necessary image adjustment operation from being omitted even when accurate stop time information cannot be acquired from the dedicated signal line 84 due to a setting error of the standby time or the like. Can do.

[Third Embodiment]
<Configuration of image forming apparatus>
FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 are attached to the same parts as those in FIG. 1 (first embodiment).

  The image forming apparatus 14 of the present embodiment has the same configuration as the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment, but the configurations of the controller and the engine control unit are slightly different. That is, the return signal control unit 418 in the controller 40 in the first embodiment includes dedicated signal lines 82, 84, and 86, whereas the return signal control unit 420 in the controller 42 in this embodiment is a dedicated signal line. In addition to the signal lines 82, 84, and 86, a dedicated signal line 88 that outputs information indicating that stop time information output from the dedicated signal line 84 has been determined is provided. The engine control unit 34 includes a ROM 316 that stores a startup program different from that in the first embodiment. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  The information output to the dedicated signal line 88 indicates, for example, that the output content of the dedicated signal line 84, that is, the stop time information is indefinite at a low level, and is confirmed by becoming a high level. It is input to the external interrupt port of the CPU 302 in the engine control unit 34.

<Image forming device startup processing>
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the startup process executed by the engine control unit 34 in the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  In this figure, S501 through S504 are the same as S301 through S304 in FIG. 4 (first embodiment). S506 to S510 are the same as S306 to S310 in FIG. Note that the transition destination of S501: NO is omitted because it is the same as that in the first embodiment (FIG. 5). The difference from FIG. 4 is S505.

  In other words, in the first embodiment (FIG. 4), the process waits for a certain time (S305), and then the stop time information is read (S306). In the present embodiment, the stop time information is confirmed. It waits for reception of the indicated information (S505), and reads out the stop time information after reception (acquisition) (S506).

  According to the present embodiment, accurate stop time information can be acquired as soon as possible.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 12, 14 ... Image forming apparatus, 20 ... Engine, 30, 32, 34 ... Engine control part, 40, 42 ... Controller, 52 ... Operation part, 54 ... NCU, 56 ... FCU, 70 ... PCIe communication bus, 82 84, 86, 88 ... dedicated signal line, 205 ... image forming section, 206 ... fixing device, 302, 402 ... CPU, 304, 314, 316, 404 ... ROM, 306, 406 ... RAM, 418, 420 ... return signal Control unit.

JP 2007-301765 A

Claims (9)

An engine unit that performs mechanical operations related to image processing, an engine control unit that controls the operation of the engine unit, and a plurality of pieces of activation information necessary for the activation process of the engine control unit are generated, and it is not necessary to establish a communication connection Using a plurality of information transmission means dedicated to each start information, and having a controller that transmits to the engine control unit,
The controller transmits the first activation information indicating the activation factor among the activation information by the first information transmission unit, and the second activation information having a different time until the content is determined depending on the activation factor. Is transmitted by the second information transmission means, and the engine control unit transmits the first activation information acquired from the first information transmission means and the second activation acquired in advance. An image forming apparatus that acquires the second activation information from the second information transmission unit based on information indicating a timing at which information is expected to be determined. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The second activation information is progress information indicating whether or not an elapsed time from the end of the previous image forming operation of the engine unit has reached a predetermined time,
The image forming apparatus that controls image formation adjustment in the engine unit when the engine control unit indicates that the elapsed time has reached the predetermined time. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2,
The image forming adjustment is an image forming apparatus in which the engine unit adjusts a density or a position of an image formed on a recording sheet. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2,
Having a communication means between the controller and the engine control unit that need to establish a communication connection;
When the activation factor indicated by the first activation information is a return from the energy saving mode to the normal operation mode, the engine control unit controls the temperature rise of the fixing unit in the engine unit before establishing the communication connection of the communication unit. Forming apparatus that performs fixing precedent start-up starting. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4.
An image forming apparatus having mode selection means for setting whether to execute the fixing advance start-up based on a user instruction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5.
The controller transmits, as the activation information, third activation information indicating whether the activation factor is a return request from the network by a third information transmission unit, and the engine control unit transmits the activation factor. Includes information on whether or not the image forming operation of the engine unit acquired by the communication unit is necessary when the mode is a return request from the network and the mode in which the fixing start-up is not executed is set. An image forming apparatus that determines whether or not to perform an image forming operation of the engine unit based on activation request information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2,
Having a communication means between the controller and the engine control unit that need to establish a communication connection;
When the engine control unit determines not to perform image formation adjustment in the engine unit based on the progress information acquired by the second information transmission unit, the engine control unit acquires the progress information again by the communication unit, and An image forming apparatus that determines again whether or not to perform image formation adjustment in the engine unit based on progress information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The controller transmits fourth activation information indicating that the second activation information transmitted by the second information transmission unit has been determined by the fourth information transmission unit, and the engine control unit An image forming apparatus that obtains the second activation information by the second information transmission unit when the fourth activation information is acquired by the fourth information transmission unit. An engine unit that performs mechanical operations related to image processing, an engine control unit that controls the operation of the engine unit, and a plurality of pieces of activation information necessary for the activation process of the engine control unit are generated, and it is not necessary to establish a communication connection A method for starting an image forming apparatus having a controller for transmitting to the engine control unit using a plurality of information transmission means dedicated to each start information,
The controller transmitting first activation information indicating an activation factor in the activation information by a first information transmission unit;
A step of transmitting, by the second information transmission means, when the content of the activation information is determined by the controller, when the content of the activation information is determined, the second activation information having different time until the content is determined depending on the activation factor;
The engine control unit acquiring the first activation information from a first information transmission means;
Based on the first activation information acquired by the engine control unit from the first information transmission unit and information indicating the timing at which the second activation information acquired in advance is expected to be determined, Obtaining the second activation information from the information transmission means of:
For starting an image forming apparatus.

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